Any
type of hobby,
you can imagine can be found in Australia, however there
are some that are more popular than others and deserve
to be highlighted. Of course the cheaper the hobby is,
more people and attention it attracts, and with such big
cost, most of the popular hobbies are related with the
sea.

Recreational
Fishing -
is without any doubt the most practised leisure
activity in Australia. A good set fishing rod,
hooks etc wont cost more than A$ 100.If you are
a lucky fisherman, you may save big bucks as
fish is very expensive in supermarkets and fish
markets. Considering that all beaches, coast,
canals and lagoons, have free public access, the
only costs will be the bait plus petrol to get
there, and a fishing license depending of the
state you are, but this will not be over A$30
per year (in Queensland it is not necessary a
license, only if you fish in some lakes). Do not
forget to get through the Internet or at any
fish shop, the booklet (free) about permitted
fish sizes and quantities otherwise you may get
a fine, much bigger than your fish bucket.

Surf
is the second preference choice. When we refer
to surf, it means all kinds of boards styles and
modalities. Some may consider it as a sport, but
the truth is that the majority of surfers in
Australia are doing that for fun and not for
competition. From Agnes Water (close to
Bundaberg, and it is the first place receiving
surf waves outside the protection of the Great
Barrier) going south along the coast and than
changing to the West, and again going up until
Broome in West Australia, there are plenty of
good surf waves during thewhole year. Most of the population in
Australia are settled in the coast, so surf is
practised everywhere. A new surfboard cost
around A$600, but a second hand in excellent
shape can be found for around A$ 200. Surf is
practised by all ages, man, woman, little kids,
kangaroos, koalas, etc.

Boating
comes in third place, with a big contingent of
happy boat owners, showing all kind of models
and sizes. Dinghy’s are very popular, it is an
aluminium boat with around 4m, accommodating up
to 4 people usually with motor engines of up to
15 HP, and wont cost more than A$ 2000. Adding a
trailer (to tow) all rivers, canals, coves, and
estuaries, can be reached and are a true
playgrounds for boats. These aluminium boats are
easily kept in garages and backyards. A lot of
people, including me, use a boat like this one
for leisure and try a lucky fishing. Sailing
boats of all sizes are also very popular.

Games
such as Rugby,
Cricket (this one is the preferred game played
by families with children in parks) and Golf,
are very practised as fun activities. We ca also
highlight a very typical favourite Australian
hobby, talking about games, and it is lawn bowling. In this game each player roll a
ball and try to get closer to the ball master
and dislocate the competitor. The outdoor field
has a lawn so short that it seems artificial.
This game is more practised by the older
generation, but there are some young players as
well. All of them use a white uniform and if you
do not have one, won’t be able to play. Almost
any city in Australia even the very small ones,
have one bowling club. Another more serious
game, but this one involving money (many times
also addiction) is the poker machines. The
amount of people playing in establishments
legalized for that are unbelievable.

There
are many others hobbies
such as having picnic and BBQ’s in the park with the
family or friends, travelling, tracking in national
parks, rock climbing etc. Gardening is big and so
important in Australia that the water restriction in
many cities are a real concern and it is regulated by
the council when (days and hours) people can water their
gardens. Anyway, those described above are the most
popular. We have more information about other sports
practised in Australia that many times are also
considered hobbies.